NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Saturday hit out at the Punjab government over the killing of makeup artist and social media influencer Mad Sandhu, alleging that the state’s law and order was in the hands of the “mafia”.Sandhu, whose real name was Madhusudan, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne men on Loharka Road in Amritsar at around 6pm on Saturday. Police said the attackers opened fire before fleeing the spot.Sandhu suffered two gunshot wounds and was rushed to a private hospital in critical condition, where he later died during treatment. An eyewitness said around two to three rounds were fired and that Sandhu was shot at close range.Reacting to the killing, Sirsa questioned the law and order situation in Punjab and alleged that several criminal networks were operating in the state under the Aam Aadmi Party government.“There is no law and order in Punjab. The law and order situation in Punjab is in the hands of the mafia. In Punjab, you receive only one piece of information every day,” Sirsa told ANI.“Otherwise, the police do not even register an FIR. If they are drug dealers, they are going around killing people. If they are mafia members, they are killing people. If there are gangsters, they are killing people. Social media influencer Mad Sandhu was shot dead and if even the Sarpanch of a village is not safe, and a former Sarpanch is not safe, then who is safe?”Sirsa further alleged that extortion gangs, mafia groups and the drug mafia were operating in Punjab. “During the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party, gangs involved in extortion, the mafia, and the drug mafia are operating in Punjab. There is also a school mafia operating, where even if you raise your voice against problems in schools, you will be thrown out of the party,” he added.
Who was Mad Sandhu?
Madhusudan Sandhu was a makeup artist and social media influencer who regularly appeared on podcasts and digital platforms, where he spoke about make-up artistry, the film industry and gender issues. His content and fashion choices had also attracted criticism and abuse on social media.Sandhu had around 2.26 lakh followers on Instagram and had acted in the Punjabi film *Oye Bhole Oye*. A few months ago, a Nihang Sikh had objected to his social media content and clothing, saying his videos could have a negative impact on young people.
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Congress leader Raj Kumar Verka also criticised the AAP government over the killing and demanded Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation, alleging that the government had failed to protect people.Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla said Sandhu had been receiving threats for a long time and had spoken about them publicly on social media. He questioned why the threats had not been taken seriously and demanded an early arrest and a thorough investigation into who was behind the killing and why Sandhu had been threatened.
